Big Missouri cities like St. Louis and Kansas City offer an abundance to see and do, but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We’ve put together a list of our favorite small towns and invite you to join us on this road trip.
Google Maps
- Weston - Population 1,703
annie!/flickr
Dena M./TripAdvisor We’ll start off our road trip north of the river near Kansas City. Weston not only features a beautiful state park, but also its own winery, brewery and distillery.
- Parkville - Population 5,928
Main Street Parkville/Facebook
Vincent Parsons/Flickr Parkville is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Kansas City, but you’ll notice it’s a lot more quiet than the city. Located right on the Missouri River, English Landing Park is a favorite among locals looking to go for a nice walk or jog.
- Rocheport - Population 244
Rocheport Missouri/Facebook
Rocheport Missouri/Facebook Located along the Katy Trail, this small town is a destination for many runners, cyclists and walkers on the trail. Make sure to stop at Les Bourgeois Vineyards for a wine sampling and eat at the Blufftop Bistro for a picturesque view of the Missouri River.
- Clarksville - Population 442
Visit Clarksville/Facebook
Visit Clarksville/Facebook Though only 7 blocks long and 4 blocks wide, the town of Clarksville offers a lot for antique collectors and treasure hunters alike. There’s an antique mall at the end of town and a few antique and artisan shops that line the main road.
- St. Charles - Population 67,569
Doug Kerr/flickr
Natures Paparazzi/flickr St. Charles packs a ton of history for its size. It is considered by many to be the last civilized stop for Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
- Kimmswick - 158
cmh2315fl/flickr
Visit Kimmswick/Facebook For only having a population of 158 people, you’d be surprised what this small town has to offer. Whether it’s the Strawberry Festival, the Apple Butter Festival or the River Music Festival, this hidden gem is always finding reasons to have a little party in town.
- Hermann - Population 2,389
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Robert Stinnett/flickr Right in the middle of Missouri Wine Country, Hermann is an adorable German town that draws visitors from all over the state. After you walk, jog or bike the Katy Trail, head over to one of their wineries. Or, if a cold beer fits your taste better, visit one of their breweries.
- Centerville - Population 194
Tom and Carol McCreary/Flickr
Reynolds County Courthouse/Facebook Tucked away in the St. Francis Mountains and along the west fork of the Black River, most of Centerville’s beauty comes from its natural surroundings. It also has a few historical buildings to appreciate such as Reynold’s County Courthouse and Reeds Spring Mill.
- Van Buren - Population 836
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
Shellie Gonzalez/flickr Another natural beauty, Van Buren is nestled in the Ozarks. Take a dip in its gorgeous beach with crystal clear water and explore Big Spring.
- Carthage - Population 14,232
Gouldy99/flickr
JymPoiranges/flickr Nicknamed “America’s Maple Leaf City,” Carthage is not only a city with lots of green space, but also a lot of history. In fact, its South District, comprised of old Victorian homes, made it onto the National Registry list. The Precious Moments hotel and store is another draw for out-of-town visitors.
Did your favorite small town not make the list? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know why your small town is the best in Missouri by commenting below.
Google Maps
annie!/flickr
Dena M./TripAdvisor
We’ll start off our road trip north of the river near Kansas City. Weston not only features a beautiful state park, but also its own winery, brewery and distillery.
Main Street Parkville/Facebook
Vincent Parsons/Flickr
Parkville is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Kansas City, but you’ll notice it’s a lot more quiet than the city. Located right on the Missouri River, English Landing Park is a favorite among locals looking to go for a nice walk or jog.
Rocheport Missouri/Facebook
Located along the Katy Trail, this small town is a destination for many runners, cyclists and walkers on the trail. Make sure to stop at Les Bourgeois Vineyards for a wine sampling and eat at the Blufftop Bistro for a picturesque view of the Missouri River.
Visit Clarksville/Facebook
Though only 7 blocks long and 4 blocks wide, the town of Clarksville offers a lot for antique collectors and treasure hunters alike. There’s an antique mall at the end of town and a few antique and artisan shops that line the main road.
Doug Kerr/flickr
Natures Paparazzi/flickr
St. Charles packs a ton of history for its size. It is considered by many to be the last civilized stop for Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
cmh2315fl/flickr
Visit Kimmswick/Facebook
For only having a population of 158 people, you’d be surprised what this small town has to offer. Whether it’s the Strawberry Festival, the Apple Butter Festival or the River Music Festival, this hidden gem is always finding reasons to have a little party in town.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Robert Stinnett/flickr
Right in the middle of Missouri Wine Country, Hermann is an adorable German town that draws visitors from all over the state. After you walk, jog or bike the Katy Trail, head over to one of their wineries. Or, if a cold beer fits your taste better, visit one of their breweries.
Tom and Carol McCreary/Flickr
Reynolds County Courthouse/Facebook
Tucked away in the St. Francis Mountains and along the west fork of the Black River, most of Centerville’s beauty comes from its natural surroundings. It also has a few historical buildings to appreciate such as Reynold’s County Courthouse and Reeds Spring Mill.
Missouri Division of Tourism/Flickr
Shellie Gonzalez/flickr
Another natural beauty, Van Buren is nestled in the Ozarks. Take a dip in its gorgeous beach with crystal clear water and explore Big Spring.
Gouldy99/flickr
JymPoiranges/flickr
Nicknamed “America’s Maple Leaf City,” Carthage is not only a city with lots of green space, but also a lot of history. In fact, its South District, comprised of old Victorian homes, made it onto the National Registry list. The Precious Moments hotel and store is another draw for out-of-town visitors.
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